Evening Valentine’s Look | The Smoky Gunmetal Eye

Is there a more perfect look for a Valentine’s night out than a smoky black eye? Actually, yes, there is. Layer it on up with a gunmetal metallic eyeshadow and pressed glitter, and the result is next level.

Tati Beauty’s Textured Neutrals Palette Vol. 1 has all the fixings for a bombshell smoky eye. The formula is so user-friendly, it practically does the work for you. Follow the steps below to recreate it!

(Looking for a daytime appropriate look instead? Check out Carly’s tutorial for a pretty, pink Valentine’s Day eye.)

Step 1: Prime your eyes with whatever product you typically use. For me, that’s a thin layer of concealer. Then set just the upper part of the eye area with a fluffy brush dipped into the Matte Aura shade from Tati’s palette, leaving the mobile lid tacky for applying a sequin shade later on.

Step 2: Using a large crease brush, sweep the Matte Soothe shade back and forth just above the crease–or on the hood of the eye, like me. Blend it out and up toward the brows, almost to the point of touching them but not quite. After, I used an even larger crease brush that I didn’t dip into any shadow to blend it out further. I like using the Matte Soothe as an initial shade for a smoky black eye because it adds a hint of warmth. 

Step 3: Using a slightly smaller crease or paddle brush, apply the Matte Ritual shade just below Soothe. Blend it back and forth until the two colors are well blended. This shade really helps to anchor the black eyeshadow, since it’s got a cooler undertone, and will make the transition between shades less harsh.

Step 4: Pack the Sequin Memory shade all over the mobile lid, placing the majority of it on the outer corners. I like using my fingers to pack the sequin shades on because it prevents the glitters from falling out and really makes them stand out. Don’t worry about being precise here. The next step will smooth things out.

Step 5: Find a small, thin crease brush, and dip it into the Matte Memory shade. Tap off the excess product and apply it to the area between the Sequin Memory shade and Matte Ritual shade. Blend upward in small circles so that the black eyeshadow doesn’t travel up too high but meshes as seamlessly as possible with the other shades.

Step 6: Using your finger, tap the Metallic Memory shade all over the mobile lid, bringing it as far in to the inner corner as possible. Blend out any harsh lines between the metallic eyeshadow and the matte shades using the small crease brush from step 5.

Step 7: After cleaning up the undereye area with makeup remover and applying foundation, concealer, and powder, start working on the lower lash line. Here I used a very tiny eyeliner brush to apply the Matte Memory shade as close to the lashes as possible. If you have hooded or close-set eyes, don’t bring this line all the way to the inner corner. That could close off the eyes. I stopped it a little more than halfway across.

Step 8: Using a flat definer brush, I swept the Matte Ritual shade over the thin line of Matte Memory created in the last step. Then, using a small, fluffy smudger brush, I applied Matte Soothe to the lower lash line, blending everything out.

Step 9: At this point, I stopped taking pictures. But, after applying the rest of my face makeup, I added the Metallic Aura shade to my brow bones and inner corners. I also used it as my face highlighter!

Step 10: Finally, using your finger, gently tap the Glitter Memory shade all over the mobile lid. Be careful not to get any in your eyes! Then, top off the lashes with a bunch of mascara. I curled my lashes before applying mascara for extra lift.

And, that’s it! As the pictures show, this is a look that gets real messy before it all comes together. The key is to trust the process. Once the rest of your makeup is on, things start to look nice.

Anyway, hope you all have a lovely Valentine’s Day (and weekend)! Thank you so much for reading ❤

xoxo Kelli

---

Products Used:

Eyeshadow: Tati Beauty Textured Neutrals Vol. 1

Concealer: Revlon Photo Ready Candid Antioxidant in Fair 005

Foundation: L’Oreal Infallible Fresh Wear 24HR in Porcelain mixed with Catrice HD Liquid Coverage Foundation in Rose Beige

Powder: Ilia Soft Focus Finishing Powder on the face, and Essence Brighten Up! Banana Powder under the eyes

Bronzer: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer in Light Bronzer

Blush: Scott Barnes’ Chic Cheek Nº1 Blush Palette using the shade Minimalist

Brows: Wet N’ Wild Ultimate Brow Retractable Pencil in Medium Brown and Essence It’s All About the Brows 4-in-1 Palette

Lashes: Covergirl Exhibitionist Mascara in Very Black

Lips: Milani Color Statement Lip Liner in Nude and Becca Ultimate Lipstick Love in Bare

Setting Spray: Morphe X Jeffree Star Set & Refresh Mist